you are not burning more calories dancing then the beers your drinking giving you the courage to dance.

2 miles on the treadmill is good, but instead of walking do some intervals running, you'll burn many more calories and burn much more fat

I know you were responding to 8pt, but as a side note- if you are 50lbs overweight, running is really rough on the knees.

Personally, I would rather walk outside than on a treadmill, one reason being that treadmills trip me up, my pace is not constant. I tend to favor my left leg ever since I was hit by a car 30 years ago.

What really worked for me was when my son was in wrestling, I would join him in the workouts. Those wrestling mats kept the shock load off my joints pretty well.

Joined another gym, I have (had?) a lifetime membership at Fitness USA, but they have all closed in Michigan. Oddly enough, that's about when the weight started coming back....

You've mentioned in the past you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to the gym. Intervals will allow you to burn more calories in less time than your current work out.

As an example I would guess walking pace is somewhere around a 12-15 minute mile. 2 miles = 30 minutes on the treadmill.

I can now do 2 miles of interval work on the treadmill in about 13 minutes. My heart rate is about 190 BPM during those 13 minutes and I burn more calories during my work out and long after.

Just trying to suggest a way for you to save some time and get better results.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

That does make sense about intervals. With school and work, It's hard to find time. Class until 9pm three nights a week. I still come home though and workout. I know if I stop, then I won't have that drive to push myself to keep going.

My pace right now is 20 minutes a mile, but that's just walking Lol. I walk at a full incline though. Don't know if that has anything to do with anything My heart rate is about 190-191 BPM during the whole workout, or at least after the first half mile.

I'm going to continue to do my 2 mile walk every night for about another week, then next week if the weather is till decent (above 37) I will get out and run.

Edit: I am really just starting off small and working my way up. I have somewhat of a bad back after loading a truck on my trailer last summer, so taking it small right now is best for me. Oddly enough, my back doesn't seem to bother me when I work out or even after. I just don't want to take any chances.

That does make sense about intervals. With school and work, It's hard to find time. Class until 9pm three nights a week. I still come home though and workout. I know if I stop, then I won't have that drive to push myself to keep going.

My pace right now is 20 minutes a mile, but that's just walking Lol. I walk at a full incline though. Don't know if that has anything to do with anything My heart rate is about 190-191 BPM during the whole workout, or at least after the first half mile.

I'm going to continue to do my 2 mile walk every night for about another week, then next week if the weather is till decent (above 37) I will get out and run.

Edit: I am really just starting off small and working my way up. I have somewhat of a bad back after loading a truck on my trailer last summer, so taking it small right now is best for me. Oddly enough, my back doesn't seem to bother me when I work out or even after. I just don't want to take any chances.

You don't have to run to do intervals, or at least you don't have to run fast or the whole time.

Try this.

"run" at 5 MPH for 30 seconds, "recover" at 2.5 mph for 2 minutes.

The recovery is slower than your current pace, but the 5 mph is faster. Increase speed as often as you can, also increase the duration of your run as often as you can. Also vary the incline, but yes, walking on an incline makes it harder than just walking on a flat treadmill.

When you think of "workouts" that are beneficial for burning calories and overall body strenth think of what are called compound movements (2 joints or more moving at once, squat, push up, deadlift, shoulder press, pull ups, etc) NOT isolation movements (bicep curls, tricep extensions, pec deck/fly's, lateral raises, etc.)

Planks, mountain climbers, side planks, all a great start

your back probably feels better when you work out because you are strengthening muscles to support your body taking stress off your spine, you're also stretching those muscles so they help align your spine better.

I have very bad lower back problems, the more i stretch, work out, and build strength in my core (planks, mountain climbers and others) the better it feels.

You don't have to run to do intervals, or at least you don't have to run fast or the whole time.

Try this.

"run" at 5 MPH for 30 seconds, "recover" at 2.5 mph for 2 minutes.

The recovery is slower than your current pace, but the 5 mph is faster. Increase speed as often as you can, also increase the duration of your run as often as you can. Also vary the incline, but yes, walking on an incline makes it harder than just walking on a flat treadmill.

When you think of "workouts" that are beneficial for burning calories and overall body strenth think of what are called compound movements (2 joints or more moving at once, squat, push up, deadlift, shoulder press, pull ups, etc) NOT isolation movements (bicep curls, tricep extensions, pec deck/fly's, lateral raises, etc.)

Planks, mountain climbers, side planks, all a great start

your back probably feels better when you work out because you are strengthening muscles to support your body taking stress off your spine, you're also stretching those muscles so they help align your spine better.

I have very bad lower back problems, the more i stretch, work out, and build strength in my core (planks, mountain climbers and others) the better it feels.

You're on the right path, you're looking into some good options

A ton of great info

I understand now what you mean by intervals. I think I would be able to do that. Just maintain that pace for 2 miles, then increase the run time while decreasing the recovery time... over time as my stamina will allow it. Simply enough.

I will look into more compound exercises and see what will work best for me. I would much rather work more joints during each exercise because I feel that would be much more beneficial. When you say stay away from things like bicep curls, are you talking about like a normal sit up or crunch?

Yea I noticed that when I wasn't working out, I would get sharp pains and discomfort in my lower back and sometimes a spot in my upper back. Since I have been walking and working my upper body, I haven't had any problems. If exercising is what it takes to keep the discomfort from returning, then that is enough motivation for me

That being said....I work in an arm day at least every 10 days because I am vain as fukc . I just combine that with core and heavy cardio.

bicep curls as sol goodie two shoes pointed out are an isolation exercise for your upper arm (the bicep, google it ) It won't help for weight loss much, nor will it really increase overall strength/conditioning.

Like sol says, the pull up will work the upper back, outter back, shoulders, and biceps, forearms, etc. The more muscle you stimulate with each exercise the more calories you will burn and the less time you'll waste doing useless shit in the gym.

Push-ups (i think more beneficial for overall strength than bench press, but essentially same movement) will hit shoulders (slightly different than the pull ups do) triceps, chest, some of the lats (outer back muscle), etc.

The compound movements hit the major muscle groups and still recruit some help from the smaller muscle groups and ALL of the stabilizer muscles (the ones that keep you standing, balancing, walking on uneven ground, etc)

Isolation exercises are for body builders who are being judged on a specific body part they need to get on par with the rest of their physique to win a competition. Until your % body fat is below 20% they are useless. (in my opinion).

isolation exercises will also help make the compound movements stronger, important for a powerlifter who is trying to increase only his deadlift, squat or bench press.

I have always been self concious about how scrawny my biceps are at the beach for the ladies, so like Sol goode I do bicep curls every now and again, but looking at my arms you would never know it

Anywho, the point I am getting at is the total body compound movements are better for overall body functionality for every day life, sport, and calorie burning than the isolation stuff that you see far too many people doing at the gym.

I don't have all the necessary equipment to perform most of those complex exercises, but I believe I can use the gym at school for free. I will have to check that out.

Friends don't let friends miss leg day?

I am 100% against the use of "complex equipment".

You do not need it.

You need a bar, a few dumb bells, and your own body weight.

Keep walking on the treadmill.

Do body weight exercises, planks, pushups, pull ups (you'll need a bar or a tree branch or a rafter in your garage), squats, lunges, burpees, etc. Google them if you are unsure, tons of videos to show these exercises.

The only equipment you "REALLY" need is a barbell and some weights if you want to add resistance beyond your body weight.

what's the difference between an exercise bike and treadmill, excercise... wise? like percentage. My ankle hurts after running, but I can bike longer, and I used to do that while using a dumbell to do something with my arms while jamming out to music.

I always turned the resistance to as much as I could stand once i got it going.

what's the difference between an exercise bike and treadmill, excercise... wise? like percentage. My ankle hurts after running, but I can bike longer, and I used to do that while using a dumbell to do something with my arms while jamming out to music.

I always turned the resistance to as much as I could stand once i got it going.

calories, calories, calories.....

I burn more calories running than I do on the bike or elliptical.
That being said....heavy people usually do the bike first to lose weight. Once then drop some pounds they their joints can take the running/jogging.

I prefer the stair stepper to really hit the cardio...but the ones where the stairs actually move. Or get out and actually do stairs.

I burn more calories running than I do on the bike or elliptical.
That being said....heavy people usually do the bike first to lose weight. Once then drop some pounds they their joints can take the running/jogging.

I prefer the stair stepper to really hit the cardio...but the ones where the stairs actually move. Or get out and actually do stairs.

This.

At first, for most who have a fair amount to lose, anything is better than nothing. Your body will adapt, you'll burn calories faster on some things than on others, you may enjoy one thing more than anohter (so you'll stick with it more likely).

Whatever you can stick with and will work for you continue doing. MOVE. Just move.

Less treadmills, less stationary bikes, less stair steppers, etc. More real walks/runs, more real bike rides, more real stairs.....

You can over analzye the shit out of it. Watch calories, exercise. Lose weight. Switch it up if you get bored or hit a plateau. You can't out exercise a shitty diet.

I dropped my first 60 lbs, without exercise and just lifestyle and diet change. No sugars, and very few carbs. (I was told not to shop for food in the isles of Meijer, only the stuff in the bulk area). Another big key was going to bed at 10pm instead of 1am and getting a full nights sleep.

After I got down to a tolerable weight, my trainer put me on an exercise program with just using my own body weight. I'm not dropping weight as fast now but wow am I getting strong, and my balance is back.

Like Kickstand said, you don't need the fancy equipment. Squats, pushups, wall squats, lunges, jumping jacks, skipping rope............that's where it is at for me.

Fawk expensive equipment cause I'd rather have go fast parts. I'm really thinking about p90x! I love that it really works everything, and the results are rather quick due to muscle confusion. Not that i need quick results. I just wish i had the room to do all the moving around that the workouts require. Hmmm...

Weighed in at 189 a couple days ago. I've hit my goal weight, but set another goal at 180. Still have some some stomach fat i'd like to get rid of. I'm down 39 pounds total. Still staying steady with my eating habits, I can't see myself ever going back to junk food. I also seemed to have developed some type of lactose intolerance since my diet change, being that I rarely ever eat cheese/milk any more. When I do now I feel absolutely terrible, bad stomach aches.

I'm also excited that cycling/running season is here and that will help me reach my goal. I picked up a '13 Specialized Crux cross bike a while back that I put 10 miles on last weekend, and I can tell that i'm really going to enjoy riding this year. Can't wait for some 30+ mile rides this year, it's much easier without a huge gut hanging down

Weighed in at 189 a couple days ago. I've hit my goal weight, but set another goal at 180. Still have some some stomach fat i'd like to get rid of. I'm down 39 pounds total. Still staying steady with my eating habits, I can't see myself ever going back to junk food. I also seemed to have developed some type of lactose intolerance since my diet change, being that I rarely ever eat cheese/milk any more. When I do now I feel absolutely terrible, bad stomach aches.

I'm also excited that cycling/running season is here and that will help me reach my goal. I picked up a '13 Specialized Crux cross bike a while back that I put 10 miles on last weekend, and I can tell that i'm really going to enjoy riding this year. Can't wait for some 30+ mile rides this year, it's much easier without a huge gut hanging down

Weighed in at 189 a couple days ago. I've hit my goal weight, but set another goal at 180. Still have some some stomach fat i'd like to get rid of. I'm down 39 pounds total. Still staying steady with my eating habits, I can't see myself ever going back to junk food. I also seemed to have developed some type of lactose intolerance since my diet change, being that I rarely ever eat cheese/milk any more. When I do now I feel absolutely terrible, bad stomach aches.

I'm also excited that cycling/running season is here and that will help me reach my goal. I picked up a '13 Specialized Crux cross bike a while back that I put 10 miles on last weekend, and I can tell that i'm really going to enjoy riding this year. Can't wait for some 30+ mile rides this year, it's much easier without a huge gut hanging down

Congrats on the weight loss. The Beat the Train rides begin next month is you want a group 30 mile ride through Detroit.

started at 264, down to 245. Down 19, although between my first and last weigh in I realized my scale was at -3 pounds and fixed it, so I think have actually lost 22ish pounds.

A few days when I have been busy I have ate less than 1200 calories, and My fitness pal yells at me about going into starvation mode, is that really true? Is eating less than 1200 calories once every few weeks going to make me gain wait?

started at 264, down to 245. Down 19, although between my first and last weigh in I realized my scale was at -3 pounds and fixed it, so I think have actually lost 22ish pounds.

A few days when I have been busy I have ate less than 1200 calories, and My fitness pal yells at me about going into starvation mode, is that really true? Is eating less than 1200 calories once every few weeks going to make me gain wait?